Tip part for a videoscope and a videoscope including said tip part

ABSTRACT

A videoscope with a tip part including a camera assembly having an image sensor and a first light source and a first tolerance compensator having a pre-compensation condition and a post-compensation condition, wherein movement from the pre-compensation condition to the post-compensation condition adjusts a distance along the optical axis of the first light source between the first light source and the image sensor, and wherein in the post-compensation condition the first tolerance compensator maintains the distance between the first light source and the image sensor at least along the optical axis of the first light source.

The present application claims priority from European Application No.19162924, filed Mar. 14, 2019, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to endoscopes, and more specifically toan articulated tip part for an endoscope.

BACKGROUND

Videoscopes have general features and may have features specific to theprocedures from which they derive their name, including the length ofthe insertion tube, whether they comprise a working channel to collectsamples, etc. Medical videoscopes comprise endoscopes, colonoscopes,ear-nose-throat scopes, duodenoscopes, and any other medical devicehaving an image sensor configured to obtain images of views of apatient. The term “patient” herein includes humans and animals. Portablemedical monitors can be communicatively coupled to the medicalvideoscopes to receive image data therefrom and present imagescorresponding to the image data on a display module of the monitor. Anendoscope is a type of a videoscope.

Endoscopes are well known for visually inspecting inaccessible placessuch as body cavities. Typically, the endoscope comprises an elongatedinsertion tube with a handle at the proximal end, as seen from theoperator, and visual inspection means, such as a built-in camera, at thedistal end of the elongated insertion tube. This definition of the termsdistal and proximal, i.e. proximal being the end closest to the operatorand distal being the end remote from the operator, as used herein forendoscopes in general, is adhered to in the present specification. Theterm “endoscope” in the present context is a equivalent to videoscopeand does also include laryngoscopes and endotracheal tubes provided witha camera for surveillance of correct positioning.

An endoscope, described in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application No.2019/0223694, has an insertion tube with an internal working channel anda connector at the handle adapted for the attachment of a syringe. Arecess is adapted to accommodate a cylindrical body of the syringe whenthe syringe is attached to the connector. The endoscope is adapted toperform bronchioalveolar lavage, a procedure for obtaining samples,through the working channel, of organic material from a lung segment ofa patient.

As mentioned above, a videoscope can also comprise a endobronchial tubewith an image sensor, as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos.10,321,804 and 10,406,309. The endobronchial tube comprises a tubehaving a wall, a first inflatable cuff, a second lumen having an opendistal end, a second inflatable cuff, a dedicated image sensor lumen inthe wall, an image sensor, and an illumination source within thededicated image sensor lumen at the distal end thereof. Theendobronchial tube may include a dedicated cleaning nozzle arrangementembedded in the wall of the tube.

A videoscope can also comprise an endotracheal tube with an imagesensor, as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,478,054. Theendotracheal tube comprises a tube having a wall defining a ventilationlumen, an image sensor, and an illumination source within a dedicatedimage sensor lumen at the distal end of the endotracheal tube.

A videoscope can also comprise a video laryngoscope, as described incommonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,854,962. The video laryngoscope includesa housing including a display screen, a battery compartment, and ablade. The blade includes an open channel provided to guide insertion ofan endotracheal tube. An image sensor is positioned at a distal end ofthe blade. The image sensor can be part of the blade or can be connectedto the housing and introduced into a cavity of a disposable blade.

As the name indicates, videoscopes are used for seeing inside things,such as lungs or other human body cavities of a patient. Modernendoscopes are therefore typically equipped with a light source and avision receptor including a vision sensor, such as a camera or an imagesensor. Provided that sufficient light is present, it is possible forthe operator to see where the endoscope is steered and to set the targetof interest once the tip has been advanced thereto. This thereforenormally requires illumination of the area in front of the distal tip ofthe endoscope, in particular the field of vision of the camera(s). Thelight source, such as a light emitting diode or an optical fibre, mayprovide illumination.

Electrical wiring for the camera and other electronics, such as LEDlighting accommodated in the tip part at the distal end, run along theinside of the elongated insertion tube from the handle to the tip part.Instead of using cameras, endoscopes may also be fibre-optic, in whichcase the optical fibres run along the inside of the elongated insertiontube to the tip part. For some applications, a working or suctionchannel may run along the inside of the insertion tube from the handleto the tip part, e.g. allowing liquid to be removed from the bodycavity, allowing injection of fluid into the body cavity, or allowingfor insertion of surgical instruments or the like, into the body cavity.The suction channel may be connected to a suction connector, typicallypositioned at a handle at the proximal end of the insertion tube. Forother applications, the working or suction channel may be omitted.

In order to be able to maneuver the endoscope inside the body cavity,the distal end of the endoscope may comprise a bending section withincreased flexibility, e.g. an articulated tip part allowing theoperator to bend this section. Typically, this is done by tensioning orslacking steering wires also running along the inside of the elongatedinsertion tube from the articulated tip part to a control mechanism ofthe handle.

For an operator to be able to move the endoscope into the correctposition and to reliably inspect the body cavity, it is thereforedesirable that good illumination is provided so that high qualityimaging can be produced.

A general desire in the field of endoscopy is to electrically insulatethe insertion tube, and thus especially the tip part, from the outside,so as to mitigate the risk of an insulation breakdown and a resultingexcessive leakage current.

Another general desire in the field of endoscopy is to provide a tippart which is liquid-sealed, so as to mitigate liquid ingress into thetip part, and specifically onto any electrical or optical components ofthe tip part.

A general desire in the field of endoscopy is to miniaturise theinsertion tube of the endoscope, and thus the tip part, as this may openup new fields of application which requires an insertion tube with asmaller outer circumference than for instance bronchoscopy.Alternatively, miniaturising may allow the provision of a larger workingchannel diameter, maintaining the same outer diameter.

SUMMARY

On this background, it may be seen as an object of the presentdisclosure to provide an improved tip part for an endoscope, and anendoscope including said tip part, alleviating or meeting at least someof the above-mentioned desires.

One or more of these objects may be met by aspects of the presentdisclosure as described in the following.

A first aspect of this disclosure relates to a tip part for anendoscope, the tip part having a pre-compensation condition and apost-compensation condition, and comprising: a camera assembly having animage sensor and a first light source configured for emitting lightalong an optical axis thereof to provide illumination of an object to bevisualised by the image sensor; and a first tolerance compensatingmember, or first tolerance compensator, being configured to, in thepre-compensation condition, allow adjustment of the distance between thefirst light source and the image sensor along the optical axis of thefirst light source and the first tolerance compensating member beingconfigured to, in the post-compensation condition, maintain the distancebetween the first light source and the image sensor at least along theoptical axis of the first light source.

In order to achieve a more consistent optical performance of the lightsource and image sensor, it is desired that the relative distancebetween these components can be controlled precisely so that they willabut their intended surfaces of for instance a window of the tip partwhen fully assembled. However, when manufacturing and assembling thecomponents of the tip part for an endoscope, a relatively long tolerancechain often affects the relative positioning of the image sensor andlight source, for instance the soldering height on a printed circuitboard or manufacturing and assembly variations. There is a risk thatthis adversely affect the optical performance of the tip part, such asnon-optimal illumination provided by the light source and the quality ofthe image produced by the image sensor. By providing such a tolerancecompensating member and by decoupling the movement of the light sourceand image sensor, the distance between the light source and the imagesensor may be adjusted after the camera assembly has been assembled andthus break the assembly tolerance chain. A tip part of this typeprovides the advantage of reducing or even eliminating said risk toprovide a more consistent optical performance of the camera assembly.

The first tolerance compensating member may be configured to allow anoperator to adjust the distance between the first light source and theimage sensor in the pre-compensation condition. The first tolerancecompensating member may be configured to move axially independently ofthe image sensor.

The tip part may further comprise a second light source configured foremitting light along an optical axis to provide illumination for theimage sensor. The second light source may be provided in the same way asthe first light source. The second light source may be provided on anopposite side of the image sensor.

The tip part may further comprise a second tolerance compensating memberconfigured to allow adjustment of the distance between the first lightsource and the image sensor along the optical axis of the first lightsource. The second tolerance compensating member may be provided in thesame way as the first tolerance compensating member and may be providedon an opposite side of the image sensor.

The camera assembly may allow an operator to inspect a body cavity, whenthe tip part is inserted into the body cavity. The camera assembly mayfurther comprise one, some, or all elements selected from the groupconsisting of: at least one lens configured to alter light received bythe image sensor, a holder for supporting the parts of the cameraassembly, at least one light source configured to provide illuminationfor the image sensor, a printed circuit board, at least one signal cablefor carrying an image signal from the camera assembly to the operator,and a battery for powering the camera assembly or a power cable forsupplying the camera assembly with electricity from a power sourceconnected to the operating handle. The signal cable may be configuredfor transmitting an image signal to an operating handle of the endoscopeor an output for a monitor. The power cable may be configured to supplypower to the printed circuit board from a power source.

The printed circuit board may form electrical connections to theremaining electrical components of the camera assembly, such as thelight source(s), the image sensor, the signal cable(s), and/or powercable(s). The printed circuit board may be configured to process asignal from the image sensor. The printed circuit board may be aflexible printed circuit board configured to be folded, potentiallyaround the holder of the camera assembly.

The light source(s) may be positioned at the distal portion of thecamera assembly potentially so that light emitted from the lightsource(s) is directed distally. At least one or all of the lightsource(s) may be light emitting diode(s) or light fibre(s). The lightsource(s) may be configured for providing illumination for the imagesensor of the camera assembly. The number of light sources may be atleast two or at the most two or exactly two.

The optical axis may be a longitudinal optical axis. The potentiallylongitudinal optical axis may extend from a proximal end of the tip partto a distal end of the tip part.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may comprise an exteriorhousing part. The exterior housing part may provide structural integrityto the tip part and may aid in liquid-sealing electronic components ofthe camera assembly. The exterior housing part may be positioned at adistal end of the tip part. The exterior housing part may have a distalend, potentially forming the distal end of the tip part. The exteriorhousing may have a proximal end and a distal end.

The exterior housing part may be cup-shaped. The exterior housing partmay be substantially shaped as a closed cylinder open in the proximalend by the proximal opening and closed in the distal end by a distalwall. The distal wall may comprise a window, which may allow light topropagate there-through to the image sensor of the camera assembly, or adistal opening, potentially adjacent and sealed to the camera assembly,so that a portion of light passing through the opening is received by animage sensor of the camera assembly.

The exterior housing part may be manufactured by an injection mouldingprocess. The exterior housing part may be made of a polymer material.The exterior housing part may be two-component moulded, so as to be asingle part comprising two different materials, often polymer materials.A first material may be transparent, and a second material may betranslucent, opaque, and/or coloured. This may provide the advantagethat the exterior housing part can be manufactured as one sealedassembled component without an extra process step, such as adhesion orwelding, with advantageous properties, such as forming providing thefirst, transparent material in the distal wall of the exterior housingpart to form one or more window in front of the image sensor and/orlens(es) to allow the image sensor to produce an image while stillhaving a sealed housing surrounding the camera assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may comprise a bendingsection. The bending section may allow the tip part to be articulatedand bend relative to non-articulated parts of the tip part, for instancethe flexible tube or the exterior housing part. The bending section mayallow an operator to manipulate the tip part, potentially by operating acontrol element of an operating handle, while inserted into a bodycavity of a patient.

The interior housing part may be attached to the bending section byadhesion between the attachment surface and the distal segment of thebending section. The bending section may be integrally formed,potentially in one piece.

At least one hinge member may interconnect adjacent segments of thebending section with each other, e.g. the proximal end segment with anadjacent intermediate segment, the distal end segment with an adjacentintermediate segment, and two intermediate segments with each other.

Additionally or alternatively, each pair of adjacent segments may beinterconnected by at least one, two, or three hinge members. The hingemember(s) may be bridging a gap between adjacent segments. The hingemember may allow adjacent segments to pivot relative to each other toallow the bending section to bend. Each hinge member may be formed as afilm hinge, e.g. a solid connection between adjacent segments which isrelatively slim compared to the segment diameter.

Each segment of the bending section may comprise a similar, potentiallysubstantially equal, outer, surface, potentially circumferentiallyextending around a central, proximal-distal axis of the bending sectionor tip part. The segments may be substantially cylindrically and/ordisc-shaped. The outer surface of each segment may form part of an outercircumferentially extending side wall, which may extend around a centralaxis, potentially a proximal-distal axis, of the tip part. Each segmentmay be provided so that the bending section has a uniform outer contour.The optical axis may extend in parallel to the proximal-distaldirection.

Additionally or alternatively, the hingedly interconnected segments maycomprise or consist essentially of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene(PE), and/or polyoxymethylene (POM). The bending section may beintegrally formed, potentially in one piece including segments includinga distal end segment, a proximal end segment, the intermediate segmentsbetween the distal end and proximal end segments, and the hingesconnecting adjacent of the segments.

The tip part may comprise one or more working passages. Each workingpassage may be configured for accommodating a working channel tubeproviding a working channel. The attachment surface may in this caseextend partially around the circumference of the tip part and theworking channel tube may form the remaining extent so that theattachment surface and the working channel tube together form a surfaceextending around the entire circumference, said surface being configuredfor connection with the bending section. One of the working channels maybe a suction channel for providing a suction at the distal end of thetip part. The suction channel may be connected to a suction connector,potentially at a handle at the proximal end of the insertion tube. Oneof the working channels may allow insertion of surgical instrumentsthere through to the distal end of the tip part. One of the workingchannels may be a flushing channel for injecting a fluid out from thedistal end of the tip part. A distal section of the working passage mayform part of the exterior housing part and may be a separate open-endedcylinder positioned adjacent to the interior space in which the cameraassembly is positioned. Alternatively, the working passage may beomitted to minimize the size of the tip part.

The segments may comprise at least one cable passage for accommodatingat least one cable, e.g. the signal cable for carrying an image signaland/or the power cable for carrying electricity. The cable passage maycomprise a through hole in each of the segments, potentially so as toform a cable passage, that may be extending from the distal end segmentthrough the intermediate segment(s) to the proximal end segment. Thecable passage may be positioned adjacent to a centre of the segments.The signal and/or the power cable may be positioned in the cablepassage. The cable passage may be different from the working passage.

The tip part may comprise at least one, preferably two, steeringwire(s). Each steering wire may further be positioned in a steering wirepassage of the tip part. Each steering wire passage may be formed by anumber of through holes provided in the segments of the tip part. Eachsteering wire passage may be different from the cable passage and/or theworking passage. An end of the steering wire may be secured in the tippart, and another end of the steering wire may be connected to a controlelement, potentially a control lever of the control element. Thus bymanipulating the control element or lever the steering wire may betensioned on one side of the plane of the hinge members, and slacked onthe other, thus allowing the bending section to bend in a desireddirection.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may form part of aninsertion tube for an endoscope, the insertion tube comprising aflexible tube. The flexible tube may be attached to the proximal endsegment. The flexible tube may comprise an interior space defined by anouter circumferentially extending side wall. The outer circumferentiallyextending side wall may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface.The flexible tube may comprise a distal end, which may be connected tothe proximal end segment of the bending section. The flexible tube maycomprise a proximal end configured for connection with remaining partsof the endoscope, for instance an operating handle of the endoscope. Theflexible tube may be integrally provided in one piece. The flexible tubemay comprise or consist essentially of a polymer material, potentiallysupported by a metal braiding. The flexible tube may surround or enclosethe cable passage and/or the working passage and/or the steeringwire(s).

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may comprise a tubularsleeve. The tubular sleeve may cover at least the intermediate segmentsand may seal any gaps between adjacent segments. The tubular sleeve mayalso be known as a bending cover. The tubular sleeve may seal theconnection between the bending section and an adjacent element of thetip part, for instance the flexible tube and/or the exterior housingpart. The tubular sleeve may provide the tip part and/or the flexibletube with an outer surface configured for insertion into a body cavity,for instance a substantially smooth outer surface. The wall thickness ofthe tubular sleeve may be less than 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.15, 0.1, 0.09,0.08, or 0.07 mm. The tubular sleeve may be made of a polymeric materialwhich may be opaque, translucent, or transparent, for instancepolyurethane elastomers, such as the polymer traded under the trademarkPellethane® as of February 2019.

The flexible tube, the exterior housing part, the interior housing part,the tubular sleeve, and the bending section may be provided as separateprefabricated components.

In some embodiments, the tip part may be a single-use or disposable tippart, potentially for a single-use or disposable endoscope, and may notbe intended for cleaning and/or reusing.

In this specification, the term “exterior”, such as in “exterior housingpart”, may be understood as a portion configured for facing a bodycavity when the tip part is inserted into a body and thus provide asealing function, and additionally the term “interior” may be understoodas a portion intended to be surrounded by another component orcomponents of the tip part. For instance, an interior housing part maybe surrounded by exterior housing part and the bending section.

Additionally or alternatively, the first tolerance compensating membermay be configured to, in the pre-compensation condition, move the firstlight source along the optical axis of the first light source relativeto the image sensor.

This may provide the advantage of a particularly simple way of adjustingthe distance between the first light source and the image sensor, sincethe image sensor may be positioned correctly first and then the firstlight source can be adjusted accordingly by the first tolerancecompensating member.

The tolerance compensating member may be configured to move the lightsource along the optical axis thereof, potentially until a lightemitting surface of the light source, abuts or contacts an interiorsurface of the exterior housing part, potentially a light guide surfaceof the exterior housing part.

The tolerance compensating member may comprise an arm or a springconfigured for pushing the light source in the optical axis. Theoperator may adjust the distance between the first light source and theimage sensor by pushing a proximal end of the tolerance compensatingmember.

In this disclosure, an optical axis may be defined as a line along whichthere is some degree of rotational symmetry in an optical system such asa lens or light source.

Additionally or alternatively, the first tolerance compensating membermay comprise a seat configured for guiding the adjustment of thedistance between the first light source and the image sensor along theoptical axis of the first light source.

This may provide the advantage of robustly guiding the light sourcewithin the exterior housing part and ensuring that the light source canbe consistently moved to the desired location.

The seat may comprise a radial guide surface configured for preventingradial movement of the first light source during adjustment of thedistance between the first light source and the image sensor. The seatmay form part of an arm of the tolerance compensating member.

Additionally or alternatively, the first light source may be fixed tothe first tolerance compensating member, potentially by an adhesive.

By fixating the light source, may provide the advantage that it isensured that the light source follows the movements of the tolerancecompensating member and therefore the adjustment of the light source maybe more consistent.

The light source may be fixed by adhering the light source to thetolerance compensating member.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part further comprises a printedcircuit board being electrically connected to both the image sensor andthe first light source.

This may provide the advantage of only having to electrically connectthe first light source and the image sensor to the same printed circuitboard.

The first light source and the image sensor may be electricallyconnected to the printed circuit board by soldering. The first lightsource and the image sensor may further be fixed to the same printedcircuit board. The first light source may be a light emitting diode, andthe image sensor and the first light source may be soldered onto thesame printed circuit board of the tip part.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may further comprise: anexterior housing part including a circumferentially extending side wallwith a proximal opening, the circumferentially extending side walldefining an interior space with an air volume; and an interior housingpart including a circumferentially extending closure surface and thefirst tolerance compensating member, the interior housing part beingpositioned in the proximal opening of the exterior housing part, thetolerance compensating member and the interior housing part beingintegrally formed in one piece; wherein the camera assembly includes adistal portion and is positioned in the interior space so that the airvolume envelops at least the distal portion of the camera assembly, andwherein the exterior housing part and interior housing part are formedas separate prefabricated components, and wherein the closure surface isconfigured for closing the proximal opening of the exterior housing soas to liquid-seal the air volume in tip part and fix the first lightsource relative to the image sensor.

By providing a tip part in this way, a number of advantages may beachieved. Firstly, the air volume can be liquid-sealed by adhesive withreduced risk of the adhesive flowing onto optical components of the tippart, such as lenses, light sources, light guides etc., thereby alteringthe optical properties of the tip part. This may provide the advantagethat troubleshooting, reparability, or reusability of the tip part isimproved. This may also provide a tip part which can be disassembledinto components to be recycled.

Secondly, an assembled exterior housing part, interior housing part, andcamera assembly can be tested for liquid tightness and electricalinsulation prior to being further assembled, such as attached to abending section, thus enabling faulty tip parts to be identified andcorrected early in the assembly process thereby providing an increasedassembly quality.

The closure surface may close the proximal opening to seal the airvolume by itself, such as by forming a plug in the proximal opening, orby aid of another component, such as a hardened adhesive sealing to theclosure surface and an interior surface of the exterior housing part.

Additionally or alternatively, the interior housing part may comprise acircumferentially extending attachment surface, wherein, when theinterior housing part is positioned in the proximal opening of theexterior housing part, the attachment surface extends proximally fromthe proximal opening and is configured for attaching the interiorhousing part to another element, such as a distal end segment of abending section, of the tip part.

The tip part may have an assembled position, wherein the closure surfacemay close the proximal opening so as to liquid-seal the air volume inthe tip part in the assembled position, potentially by an adhesive,and/or the attachment surface may attach the interior housing part toanother element of the tip part, potentially by an adhesive, in theassembled position.

By integrating the attachment surface into the interior housing part, asmaller outer circumference of the tip part may be obtained as theexterior housing part, which typically defines the lower bound of theouter circumference of the tip part, no longer forms the connection toother further elements of the tip part, such as a bending section. Thusby offloading this function to the interior housing part, the exteriorhousing part may be made with a smaller outer circumference.

Thus by providing a tip part in this way may provide the combinedadvantage of a liquid tight and miniaturised tip part with a robustattachment interface to remaining parts of the tip part.

The attachment surface may additionally be configured to allow anoperator to insert and/or manipulate the interior housing part into theexterior housing part by hand.

Additionally or alternatively, the attachment surface may comprise oneor more cut-outs configured for accommodating hardened adhesive toimprove the mechanical connection between the attachment surface and theother element of the tip part.

This may provide the advantage of improving an mechanical connection tothe other element of the tip part, such as a distal end segment of abending section.

The number of cut-outs may be at least one, at least two, or at leastthree. Each cut-out may be formed as a groove, a recess, or a hole. Eachcut-out may extend circumferentially. Each cut-out may be configured forimproving an mechanical connection to the other element of the tip part.The cut-outs could alternatively be formed as ridges or protrusions.

Additionally or alternatively, the tip part may further comprise abending section including a number of hingedly interconnected segmentsincluding a distal end segment, a proximal end segment, and a pluralityof intermediate segments positioned between the proximal end segment andthe distal end segment,

wherein the attachment surface of the interior housing part is attachedto the distal end segment.

By providing an attachment surface in this way, may provide theadvantage that a strong connection between the interior housing part andthe bending section can be formed.

The attachment surface may form part of a projection extending axiallyin a proximal direction from the proximal opening of the exteriorhousing part, so that the attachment surface overlaps with the distalend segment of the bending section when attached thereto. This mayprovide the advantage that a correct rotation of the bending sectionrelative to the interior and exterior housing parts may be ensured. Thedistal end segment may comprise cut-outs to improve the mechanicalconnection between the distal end segment and the attachment surface.

Additionally or alternatively, a gap may be formed between the closuresurface and an interior surface of the exterior housing part in thepre-compensation condition and when the interior housing part ispositioned in the proximal opening of the exterior housing part, the gapbeing filled with a hardened adhesive in the post-compensation conditionso as to liquid-seal the air volume and fix the first light sourcerelative to the image sensor.

By adequately choosing a suitable gap size and adhesive viscosity, mayprovide the advantage that the adhesive may be drawn into the gap by acapillary effect ensuring that both the interior surface and the closuresurface is sufficiently wetted along the entire circumference of the gapby the adhesive. This provides a strong structural connection and greatsealing properties between the interior and exterior housing part.Furthermore, the adhesive, upon injection into the gap, may provide acentering force so that the thickness of the adhesive is substantiallyuniform around the circumference of the proximal opening.

The gap may be at least 5, 10, 15, or 20 micrometres prior to injectionof adhesive. The gap may be at most 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 55, or 50micrometres. The gap may be in the range of 5-100, 10-90, 15-70, or20-50 micrometres. A gap of this size has been found to provide a goodcapillary effect for distribution of the adhesive in the gap whereinnarrower ranges provides a better effect.

Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive may be an ultravioletcurable adhesive as these may be cured on demand. The viscosity ofadhesive may be in the range of 200-5000 cP, preferably about 1000 cP,as too low viscosity may cause the adhesive to flow too far into the gapand potentially onto electrical or optical components of the tip partand too high viscosity may prevent the adhesive from flowing into thegap.

Additionally or alternatively, the interior housing part may comprise acavity configured for accommodating and aligning a guide portion of thecamera assembly at the proximal end thereof.

This may provide the advantage of ensuring that the proximal end of thecamera assembly is aligned in the interior space, so that the imagesensor is directed consistently.

The guide portion may form part of a holder of the camera assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the interior housing part may comprise ahole configured for allowing a cable tube accommodating a plurality ofcables electrically connected to the camera assembly to be insertedthere through.

This may provide the advantage that in order to provide a liquid-sealedtip part while still allowing power and signals to flow to and from thecamera assembly only a well-defined interface between the cable tube andthe interior housing part has to be sealed.

The cable tube may be positioned in the cable passage of the bendingsection. The plurality of cables may be electrically connected to thelight source(s), the printed circuit board, and the image sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, a gap may be formed at an overlap betweenthe closure surface and an interior surface of the exterior housing, theoverlap having a length of at least 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, or 1.1 mm in anaxial direction of the tip part.

It has been found, that a tip part of this kind allows a sufficientlystrong and sealing connection between the closure surface and theinterior surface of the exterior housing part.

Additionally or alternatively, an endoscope may comprise a tip partaccording to the first aspect of this disclosure.

The term “endoscope” may be defined as a device suitable for examinationof natural and/or artificial body openings, e.g. for exploration of alung cavity. Additionally, or alternatively, the term “endoscope” may bedefined as a medical device, and may also cover laryngoscopes andendotracheal tubes provided with a camera for surveillance of correctpositioning.

Additionally or alternatively, a system for visually inspectinginaccessible places such as human body cavities, may comprise:

an endoscope with a tip part according to the first aspect of thisdisclosure, and a monitor, wherein the endoscope is connectable to themonitor, and the monitor allow an operator to view an image captured bythe camera assembly of the endoscope.

In this disclosure, the proximal-distal axis may be defined as a centralaxis of the tip part from the proximal end to the distal end, forinstance when the tip part is substantially cylindrically shaped, theproximal-distal axis may follow the centre line of this cylindricalshape. The proximal-distal axis may follow the shape of the tip part, sothat if the bending section of the tip part is bent, then theproximal-distal axis follows the bending shape of the tip part.

A second aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for preparing atip part for an endoscope, comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a tip part according to the first aspect of this        disclosure,    -   positioning a surface of the camera assembly, potentially a        light receivel surface of the camera assembly or a lens surface        of the image sensor, in contact with a camera stop surface of        another part, such as an exterior housing part or an assembly        fixture,    -   adjusting the first tolerance compensating member so that the        first light source is moved in contact with a second stop        surface of the other part, such as the exterior housing part or        the assembly fixture, along the optical axis of the first light        source,    -   fixing the first light source in relation to the image sensor,        potentially by an adhesive.

When manufacturing and assembling a tip part for an endoscope, a longtolerance chain often affects the relative positioning of the imagesensor and light source, for instance the soldering height on a printedcircuit board or manufacturing and assembly variations. There is a riskthat this adversely affect the optical performance of the tip part, suchas non-optimal illumination provided by the light source and the qualityof the image produced by the image sensor. By providing such a tolerancecompensating member and by decoupling the movement of the light sourceand image sensor, the distance between the light source and the imagesensor may be adjusted after the camera assembly has been assembled andthus break the assembly tolerance chain. A method of this type providesthe advantage of reducing or even eliminating said risk to provide amore consistent optical performance of the camera assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the step of positioning the cameraassembly may comprise positioning the camera assembly, potentially alight receivel surface of the camera assembly or a lens surface of theimage sensor, in contact with a camera stop surface of assembly fixture.Further the second stop surface may form part of the assembly fixture.The method may further comprise a subsequent step of positioning thecombined camera assembly and first tolerance compensating member in theexterior housing, and thereafter potentially fixing the first tolerancecompensating member to the exterior housing.

Additionally or alternatively, the step of positioning the cameraassembly may comprise positioning the camera assembly, potentially alight receivel surface of the camera assembly or a lens surface of theimage sensor, in contact with a camera stop surface of the exteriorhousing part. Further the second stop surface may form part of theexterior housing part. The first light source may be fixed to the firsttolerance compensating member and the method may further comprise a stepof fixing the tolerance compensating member to the exterior housing andthereby fixing the first light source in relation to the image sensor.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more of theabove aspects of this disclosure and embodiments thereof may be combinedwith any one or more of the other aspects of this disclosure andembodiments thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The aspects of this disclosure will now be described in greater detailbased on non-limiting exemplary embodiments and with reference to thedrawings, on which:

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an endoscope in which a tip partaccording to the present disclosure is implemented,

FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of a monitor to which the endoscope ofFIG. 1a is connectable,

FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a tip partaccording to the present disclosure in which a flexible tube is omitted,

FIG. 2b shows an exploded perspective view of the tip part of FIG. 2 a,

FIG. 3a shows a front view of the tip part of FIG. 2b withcross-sectional line A-A and B-B shown,

FIG. 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the exploded tip part of FIG. 3aalong the cross-section line A-A,

FIG. 3c shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part of FIG. 3a alongthe cross-section line A-A, in which the tip part is assembled,

FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a tip partaccording to the present disclosure in which an exterior housing partand a flexible tube are omitted, and in which a cable tube, cables, andlight fibres are shown foreshortened.

FIG. 4b shows a front view of the tip part of FIG. 4a withcross-sectional line E-E shown,

FIG. 4c shows a cross-sectional view of the tip part of FIG. 4b alongthe cross-section line E-E, in which the tip part is assembled,

FIG. 5a shows a cross-sectional side view of the tip part of FIG. 3aalong the cross-section line B-B,

FIG. 5b shows a cross-sectional front view of the tip part of FIG. 5aalong the cross-section line C-C, and

FIG. 5c shows a cross-sectional front view of the tip part of FIG. 5aalong the cross-section line D-D.

Referring first to FIG. 1a , an endoscope 1 is shown. The endoscope isdisposable, and not intended to be cleaned and reused. The endoscope 1comprises an elongated insertion tube 3. The insertion tube 3 issuitable for insertion into a lung of a body through a mouth. The bodycan be an artificial or natural body, for instance a human or animalbody. At the proximal end 3 a of the insertion tube 3 an operatinghandle 2 is arranged. The operating handle 2 has a control lever 21 formanoeuvring an articulated tip part 5 at the distal end 3 b of theinsertion tube 3 by means of a steering wire 31 a running through aflexible tube 9. A camera assembly 8 is positioned in the tip part 5 andis configured to transmit an image signal through a monitor cable 13 ofthe endoscope 1 to a monitor 11.

In FIG. 1b , a monitor 11 is shown. The monitor 11 allows an operator toview an image captured by the camera assembly 8 of the endoscope 1. Themonitor 11 comprises a cable socket 12 to which a monitor cable 13 ofthe endoscope 1 can be connected to establish a signal communicationbetween the camera assembly 8 of the endoscope 1 and the monitor 11.

Turning to FIG. 2a , the distal end 3 b of the insertion tube 3 is shownand more specifically the articulated tip part 5. The tip part 5comprises a bending section 4, and an exterior housing part 6. Thebending section 4 comprises a number of hingedly connected segmentsincluding a proximal end segment 43, a distal end segment 41, and aplurality of intermediate segments 42 positioned between the proximalend segment 43 and the distal end segment 41. In the present embodiment,the number of intermediate segments 42 is about 32, but may in principlebe less or even greater. Three hinge members 44 of the living hinge typeinterconnects each pair of adjacent segments. The hinge members 44bridge a gap between adjacent segments. The bending section 4 allows thetip part 5 to bend relative to the flexible tube (omitted in thisfigure), so as to allow an operator to manipulate the tip part 5 whileinserted into a body cavity. The bending section 4 and each hingedlyinterconnected segment 41, 42, 43 consist essentially of the samematerial and are integrally formed in one piece. The material ispolyoxymethylene (POM) but may be any suitable material, such aspolyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). Typically, a tubular sleeve 8for providing a smooth outer surface wraps around the bending section 4but the tubular sleeve 8 is omitted in the figure for visualisationpurposes. The tip part 5 further comprises a working passage 33connected with a working tube 34 (shown foreshortened in length forvisualisation purposes) to provide a working channel. The attachmentsurface 72 extends partially around the circumference of the tip part 5and the working channel tube 34 may form the remaining extent so thatthe attachment surface 72 and the working channel tube 34 together forma surface extending around the entire circumference as best seen in FIG.5 c.

As seen in FIGS. 2b and 3b , the exterior housing part 6 includes aproximal opening 6 d and proximal rim surface 6 e; a circumferentiallyextending side wall 6 a with an exterior surface 6 b and an interiorsurface 6 g enclosing an interior space 6 h configured for accommodatingthe camera assembly 8; and a distal end wall 61 with an image sensorwindow 61 a and a first 61 b and a second light guide 61 c as seen inFIGS. 3a, 3b, and 4c . The distal end wall 61 forms the distal end 3 bof the tip part 5.

As seen in FIG. 3c , the camera assembly 8 is positioned at a distal end3 b of the tip part 5 in the interior spacing 6 h of the exteriorhousing part 6 so that an image sensor 83 is viewing out through awindow 61 a of the distal end wall 61 to allow an operator to inspect adistal body cavity when the insertion tube 3 is inserted into the bodycavity. The camera assembly 61 comprises an image sensor 83 configuredto capture an image, at least one lens with a light receival surface 83a configured to alter light received by the image sensor 83, a holder 85for supporting the parts of the camera assembly 8, a first 81 and asecond light source 82 configured to provide illumination for the imagesensor 83, which in this embodiments is in the form of light emittingdiodes, a printed circuit board 84, cables 87 (shown foreshortened inlength for visualisation purposes) configured for carrying an imagesignal from the printed circuit board 84 to the monitor 11, and cables87 configured for supplying power to the printed circuit board 84. Thesignal cables 87 and the power cables 87 are accommodated in a cabletube 32 a (shown foreshortened in length for visualisation purposes) andare electrically connected to the printed circuit board 84. The printedcircuit board 84 is configured to process a signal from the image sensor83 and transmit the signal via signal cables 87 to the monitor cable 13of the handle 2 for output to a monitor 11. The printed circuit board 84includes a flexible folded connection 84 a, 84 b between each of thelight sources 81, 82 and the image sensor 83 so that the light sources81, 82 can be individually moved axially further from or closer to theimage sensor 83.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3b and 3c , the tip part 5 further comprises aninterior housing part 7 with a first tolerance compensating member 73, asecond tolerance compensating member 74, a closure surface 71, and anattachment surface 72. The closure surface 71 extends circumferentiallyaround a cavity 76 and coaxially and parallel with the proximal-distalaxis PD so that, when the interior housing part 7 is positioned in theinterior space 6 h, a substantially uniform gap of about 20-50micrometres is formed between closure surface 71 and the interiorsurface 6 g as can be seen in FIG. 5b . The closure surface has an axialextent of about 1.1 mm. The interior housing part 7 further comprises acable tube hole 75 forming a proximal access way into the cavity 76. Theinterior housing is prefabricated in one piece in an ultraviolet (UV)translucent or UV transparent material.

The first 73 and second tolerance compensating member 74 each has adistally positioned seat 73 b, 74 b configured for accommodating therespective light source 81, 82 and an arm 73 a, 74 a connecting saidseat 73 b, 74 b with the closure surface 71. The interior housing part 7narrows from the closure surface 71 to the attachment surface 72 whichis positioned proximally in relation to the closure surface 71. Theattachment surface 72 includes cut-outs 72 a in the form of nine groovesfor improving the mechanical connection to the distal end segment 41 ofthe bending section 4, but the number of grooves could in principle bemore or less depending on specifics.

In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c , the first 81and second light sources 82 are instead in the form of light fibres(shown foreshortened). Each light fibre has a distal end with a lightemitting surface 81 a, 82 a, which in the post-compensation andassembled condition, abuts the respective second 63 and third stopsurface 64 of the window 61 a. The light fibres are typically notelectrically connected to the printed circuit board 84 and the seat 73b, 74 b of the tolerance compensating members 73, 74 can be omitted.Instead each light fibre 81, 82 extends along the respective arm 73 a,74 a of the tolerance compensating member 73, 74 and are typically heldand sealed by a mechanical connection, such as an adhesive connection,with the arm 73 a, 74 a, but a friction engagement could be appliedadditionally or alternatively to adhesive in order to maintain theposition of each light fibre relative to the respective arm 73 a, 74 a.

The following describes the method of bringing the tip part 5 from apre-compensation condition as shown in FIGS. 2b and 3b , onto apost-compensation condition as can be seen in FIGS. 3c and 4c , andfurther to an assembled condition as shown in FIGS. 2a and 5a-5c .Firstly, a camera assembly 8 is provided as described above, then cables87 of the camera assembly 8 is inserted into the cable tube hole 75 fromthe distal direction to arrive at the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2b, 3b,and 4a . The camera assembly 8 is then guided into the interior housingpart 7 so that a proximal portion of the holder 85 is positioned in thecavity 76, the first 81 and second light source 82 are positioned in andfixed to the respective first 73 b and second seat 74 b as shown in FIG.3c , alternatively the light sources 81, 82 extend along and maintainedin position by the mechanical connection with the arms 73 a, 74 a asshown in FIG. 4c . An upstanding guide portion 85 a of the holder 85centers the camera assembly 8 in the cavity 76. Simultaneously oralternatively afterwards, the cable tube 32 a is positioned in the cabletube hole 75 wrapping around the cables 87 of the camera assembly 8. Theinterface 32 b between the cable tube hole 75 and the cable tube 32 a,as best seen in FIG. 5c , is then sealed by an adhesive.

Thirdly, an exterior housing part 6 is provided. The exterior housingpart 6 comprises a circumferentially extending side wall 6 a with adistal end wall 61 and a proximal rim surface 6 e defining a proximalopening 6 d. The circumferentially extending side wall 6 a has an outersurface 6 b and an interior surface 6 g. The exterior housing part 6 adefines an interior space 6 h with a distal air volume 6 i. The distalend wall 61 includes a window 61 a with a first stop surface 62, a firstlight guide 61 b with a second stop surface 63, and a second light guide61 c with a third stop surface 64. In this stage of the assembly method,the exterior housing part 6 could be interchanged with an assemblyfixture instead.

Fourthly, the camera assembly 8 is then positioned so that the lightreceival surface 83 a is in contact with the first stop surface 62. Atthis point, depending on dimensions and tolerances of the parts, eithernone, one, or both of the light emitting surfaces 81 a, 82 a of thelight sources 81, 82 are in contact with their respective second 63 andthird stop surface 64. To ensure that both the light sources 81, 82 arein contact with their respective stop surfaces 63, 64, the interiorhousing part 7 is urged in position by an operator pushing theattachment surface 72 distally so that the seats 73 b, 74 b of thetolerance compensating members 73, 74 or the mechanical connectionbetween the arms 73 a, 74 a and the light sources 81, 82 pushes therespective light source 81, 82 in their respective optical axis 81 b, 82b into contact with the respective stop surface 63, 64 thereby arrivingat the post-compensation condition of the tip part 5 as can be seen inFIG. 3c or 4 c.

Fifthly, either the interior housing part 7 is fixed to the exteriorhousing part 6 or, in the case of using the assembly fixture, theinterior housing part 7 is fixed to the camera assembly 8, for instanceto the holder 85.

The interior housing part 7 is fixed to the exterior housing part 6 byinjecting an UV curable adhesive in the gap 52 between the closuresurface 71 and the interior surface 6 g of the exterior housing part 6as best seen in FIGS. 5a and 5b (omitting the bending section 4 fornow). A capillary effect then draws the adhesive into the gap 52 whileensuring that the adhesive does not flow out from distal end of the gap52 and ensures that the adhesive is distributed around thecircumference. Once the adhesive is sufficiently distributed, theadhesive is caused to harden by exposure to UV light which propagatesthrough the UV translucent material of the interior housing part 7. Inthis case, the light sources are in the correct position with minimalair gap between the light emitting surfaces 81 a, 82 a and therespective stop surface 63, 64. Furthermore, the air volume around thelight sources 81, 82 are liquid-sealed ensuring that the opticalproperties are not altered by ingressing liquids.

In the case of assembly using the assembly fixture, the interior housingpart 7 is fixed to the holder 85 by injecting adhesive in a gap betweenthe guide portion 85 a of the holder 85 and an interior surface of theinterior housing part 7 opposite the closure surface 71, and thereaftercausing the adhesive to harden by exposure to UV light. The combinedinterior housing 7 and camera assembly 8 can then be fitted into anexterior housing by the above method. In this case, any air gap betweenthe light emitting surfaces 81 a, 82 a and the respective stop surface63, 64 depends on the tolerances of the injection moulded exteriorhousing part 6 and the assembly fixture which can be manufactured withrelatively tight tolerances.

Sixthly, as can be seen in FIG. 5c , the distal end segment 41 of thebending section 4 is positioned adjacent to and overlapping with theattachment surface 72 of the interior housing part 7. Adhesive is theninjected through holes 41 g so that the adhesive fills said holes 41 gand the grooves 72 a of the attachment surface 72 and further wets theinterior surface 41 f of the distal end segment 41 to fix the interiorhousing part 7, and thereby the exterior housing part 6 and cameraassembly 8, to the bending section 4 to arrive at the assembledcondition of the tip part 5.

ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS

1. A tip part for an endoscope, the tip part having a pre-compensationcondition and a post-compensation condition, and comprising: a cameraassembly having an image sensor and a first light source configured foremitting light along an optical axis thereof to provide illumination ofan object to be visualised by the image sensor; and a first tolerancecompensating member being configured to, in the pre-compensationcondition, allow adjustment of the distance between the first lightsource and the image sensor along the optical axis of the first lightsource and being configured to, in the post-compensation condition,maintain the distance between the first light source and the imagesensor at least along the optical axis of the first light source.

2. A tip part according to embodiment 1, wherein the first tolerancecompensating member is configured to, in the pre-compensation condition,move the first light source along the optical axis of the first lightsource relative to the image sensor.

3. A tip part according to any one of the previous embodiments, whereinthe first tolerance compensating member comprises a seat configured forguiding the adjustment of the distance between the first light sourceand the image sensor along the optical axis of the first light source.

4. A tip part according to any one of the previous embodiments, whereinthe optical axis is a longitudinal optical axis.

5. A tip part according to any one of the previous embodiments, whereinthe first light source is fixed to the first tolerance compensatingmember, potentially by an adhesive.

6. A tip part according to any one of the previous embodiments, whereinthe tip part further comprises a printed circuit board beingelectrically connected to both the image sensor and the first lightsource.

7. A tip part according to any of the previous embodiments, comprising:an exterior housing part including a circumferentially extending sidewall with a proximal opening, the circumferentially extending side walldefining an interior space with an air volume; and an interior housingpart including a circumferentially extending closure surface and thefirst tolerance compensating member, the interior housing part beingpositioned in the proximal opening of the exterior housing part, thetolerance compensating member and the interior housing part beingintegrally formed in one piece; wherein the camera assembly includes adistal portion and is positioned in the interior space so that the airvolume envelops at least the distal portion of the camera assembly, andwherein the exterior housing part and interior housing part are formedas separate prefabricated components, and wherein the closure surface,in the post-compensation condition, closes the proximal opening of theexterior housing so as to liquid-seal the air volume in tip part and fixthe first light source relative to the image sensor.

8. A tip part according to embodiment 7, wherein the interior housingpart comprises a circumferentially extending attachment surface,wherein, when the interior housing part is positioned in the proximalopening of the exterior housing part, the attachment surface extendsproximally from the proximal opening and is configured for attaching theinterior housing part to another element of the tip part.

9. A tip part according to embodiment 8, wherein the attachment surfacecomprises one or more cut-outs configured for accommodating hardenedadhesive to improve the mechanical connection between the attachmentsurface and the other element of the tip part.

10. A tip part according to any one of embodiments 8 to 9, furthercomprising a bending section including a number of hingedlyinterconnected segments including a distal end segment, a proximal endsegment, and a plurality of intermediate segments positioned between theproximal end segment and the distal end segment, wherein the attachmentsurface of the interior housing part is attached to the distal endsegment.

11. A tip part according to any one of embodiments 7 to 10, wherein agap is formed between the closure surface and an interior surface of theexterior housing part in the pre-compensation condition and when theinterior housing part is positioned in the proximal opening of theexterior housing part, the gap being filled with a hardened adhesive inthe post-compensation condition so as to liquid-seal the air volume andfix the first light source relative to the image sensor.

12. A tip part according to any one of embodiments 7 to 11, wherein theinterior housing part comprises a cavity configured for accommodatingand aligning a guide portion of the camera assembly at the proximal endthereof.

13. A tip part according to any one of embodiments 7 to 12, wherein theinterior housing part comprises a hole configured for allowing a cabletube accommodating a plurality of cables electrically connected to thecamera assembly to be inserted there through.

14. An endoscope comprising a tip part according to any one of theprevious embodiments.

15. A system for visually inspecting inaccessible places such as humanbody cavities, the system comprising: an endoscope according toembodiment 14 and a monitor, wherein the endoscope is connectable to themonitor, and the monitor allows an operator to view an image captured bythe camera assembly of the endoscope.

16. A method for preparing a tip part for an endoscope, comprising thesteps of: providing a tip part according to any one of embodiments 1 to13; positioning a surface of the camera assembly in contact with acamera stop surface of another part; adjusting the first tolerancecompensating member so that the first light source is moved in contactwith a second stop surface of the other part along the optical axis ofthe first light source; and fixing the first light source in relation tothe image sensor.

LIST OF REFERENCES

The following is a list of reference numerals used throughout thisdisclosure. In case of any doubt, the reference numerals of thefollowing list apply.

-   1 endoscope-   11 monitor-   12 cable socket-   13 monitor cable-   2 handle-   21 control lever-   3 insertion tube-   3 a proximal end-   3 b distal end-   32 a cable tube-   32 b interface-   33 working passage-   34 working tube-   4 bending section-   41 distal end segment-   41 a distal end-   41 f interior surface-   41 g hole-   42 intermediate segment-   43 proximal end segment-   44 hinge member-   5 tip part-   52 gap-   6 exterior housing part-   6 a circumferentially extending side wall-   6 b outer surface-   6 d proximal opening-   6 e proximal rim surface-   6 g interior surface-   6 h interior space-   6 i air volume-   61 distal end wall-   61 a window-   61 b first light guide-   61 c second light guide-   62 first stop surface-   63 second stop surface-   64 third stop surface-   7 interior housing part-   71 closure surface-   72 attachment surface-   72 a groove-   73 first tolerance compensating member-   73 a arm-   73 b seat-   74 second tolerance compensating member-   74 a arm-   74 b seat-   75 cable tube hole-   76 cavity-   8 camera assembly-   81 first light source-   81 a first light emitting surface-   81 b optical axis-   82 second light source-   82 a second light emitting surface-   82 b optical axis-   83 image sensor-   83 a light receival surface-   84 printed circuit board-   84 a folded connection-   84 b folded connection-   85 holder-   85 a guiding portion-   86 lens barrel-   87 cable-   9 flexible tube-   PD proximal-distal axis

We claim:
 1. A videoscope comprising: a handle; an insertion tubeextending from the handle; a tip part extending from the insertion tubeand including: a camera assembly having an image sensor and a firstlight source sized and shaped to emit light along an optical axisthereof and illuminate a field of view of the camera assembly; and afirst tolerance compensator having a pre-compensation condition and apost-compensation condition, wherein movement from the pre-compensationcondition to the post-compensation condition adjusts a distance betweenthe first light source and the image sensor along the optical axis ofthe first light source, and wherein in the post-compensation conditionthe first tolerance compensator maintains the distance between the firstlight source and the image sensor at least along the optical axis of thefirst light source.
 2. The videoscope of claim 2, further comprising ahousing including a closure surface, an attachment surface distal of theclosure surface, and the first tolerance compensator, wherein the firsttolerance compensator includes an arm extending distally from theclosure surface and is sized and shaped to, in the pre-compensationcondition, move the first light source along the optical axis of thefirst light source relative to the image sensor.
 3. The videoscope ofclaim 2, wherein the first tolerance compensator comprises a seatsupported by the arm and sized and shaped to support the first lightsource.
 4. The videoscope of claim 3, wherein the first light source isaffixed to the seat of the first tolerance compensator.
 5. Thevideoscope of claim 2, wherein the optical axis is a longitudinaloptical axis and is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 6.The videoscope of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit boardelectrically connected to the image sensor and the first light source.7. The videoscope of claim 1, further comprising: an exterior housingincluding a circumferentially extending side wall with a proximalopening, the circumferentially extending side wall defining an interiorspace with an air volume; and an interior housing including the firsttolerance compensator and a wall integrally formed in one piece with thefirst tolerance compensator and having a circumferentially extendingclosure surface, the first tolerance compensator extending distally fromthe wall, wherein the interior housing is positioned in the proximalopening of the exterior housing; wherein the camera assembly includes adistal portion and is positioned in the interior space so that the airvolume envelops at least the distal portion of the camera assembly, andwherein the exterior housing and interior housing are formed as separateprefabricated components, and wherein the closure surface, in thepost-compensation condition, closes the proximal opening of the exteriorhousing so as to liquid-seal the air volume and fix the position of thefirst light source relative to the image sensor.
 8. The videoscope ofclaim 7, wherein the interior housing comprises a circumferentiallyextending attachment surface, wherein, when the interior housing ispositioned in the proximal opening of the exterior housing, theattachment surface extends proximally from the proximal opening and issized and shaped to attach the interior housing to another element ofthe tip part.
 9. The videoscope of claim 8, wherein the attachmentsurface comprises one or more cut-outs sized and shaped to accommodatehardened adhesive to improve a mechanical connection between theattachment surface and the other element of the tip part.
 10. Thevideoscope of claim 8, wherein the tip part comprises a bending sectionincluding segments including a distal end segment, a proximal endsegment, and intermediate segments positioned between the proximal endsegment and the distal end segment, adjacent of the segments beinghingedly connected, wherein the attachment surface of the interiorhousing part is attached to the distal end segment.
 11. The videoscopeof claim 7, wherein a gap is formed between the closure surface and aninterior surface of the exterior housing in the pre-compensationcondition and when the interior housing is positioned in the proximalopening of the exterior housing, the gap being filled with a hardenedadhesive in the post-compensation condition so as to liquid-seal the airvolume and fix the first light source relative to the image sensor. 12.The videoscope of claim 7, wherein the interior housing comprises acavity sized and shaped to receive and aligning a guide portion of thecamera assembly at the proximal end thereof.
 13. The videoscope of claim12, wherein the interior housing comprises a hole sized and shaped toreceive a cable tube accommodating cables electrically connected to thecamera assembly.
 14. A system for visually inspecting inaccessiblespaces of a human body, the system comprising: the videoscope of claim 1and a monitor connectable to the videoscope to present images capturedby the camera assembly of the videoscope.
 15. The system of claim 14,further comprising: an exterior housing including a circumferentiallyextending side wall with a proximal opening, the circumferentiallyextending side wall defining an interior space with an air volume; andan interior housing including the first tolerance compensator and a wallintegrally formed in one piece with the first tolerance compensator andhaving a circumferentially extending closure surface, the firsttolerance compensator extending distally from the wall, wherein theinterior housing is positioned in the proximal opening of the exteriorhousing; wherein the camera assembly includes a distal portion and ispositioned in the interior space so that the air volume envelops atleast the distal portion of the camera assembly, and wherein theexterior housing and interior housing are formed as separateprefabricated components, and wherein the closure surface, in thepost-compensation condition, closes the proximal opening of the exteriorhousing so as to liquid-seal the air volume and fix the position of thefirst light source relative to the image sensor.
 16. A method forpreparing a tip part for an endoscope, the method comprising: providinga tip part according to claim 1; positioning a surface of the cameraassembly in contact with a camera stop surface of another part;adjusting the first tolerance compensator to move the first light sourceinto contact with a second stop surface of the other part along theoptical axis of the first light source; and fixing a position of thefirst light source in relation to the image sensor.